26 Curly Hairstyles with Color That Are Truly Stunning
Curly hair and color were made for each other. The natural movement of curls catches light differently at every angle, so color on curly hair never looks flat. It glows, it shifts, it shows off every ringlet and wave in a way that straight hair simply can’t replicate.
We rounded up 26 of the best curly hairstyles with color right now. From bold reds to soft balayage to rich brunettes, every option on this list was chosen specifically because it works beautifully with curl texture. Find your combination, save this page, and bring it to your next color appointment.
1. Copper Red Curly Hair
Copper red on curly hair is one of the most breathtaking color combinations available right now and we’ve seen it work on every curl type from loose waves to tight coils. The warm, red-orange tones follow the path of every ringlet and catch light from every direction, creating a glowing, dimensional result that looks genuinely alive. It flatters warm and neutral skin tones especially beautifully.
2. Honey Balayage on Curly Hair
A honey balayage on curly hair creates the most natural-looking color result of any technique on this list. The warm golden tones are painted onto the mid-lengths and ends so they lighten as they reach the tips, mimicking the way hair naturally lightens in the sun. On curly hair, every individual ringlet catches the color differently and the result is genuinely stunning.
3. Dark Auburn Curly Hair
Dark auburn on curly hair is a rich, jewel-toned combination that photographs beautifully in any light. The deep red-brown tones shift from mahogany in shade to bright auburn in sunlight and that color movement follows every curve and coil of the curl pattern. It’s a sophisticated, high-impact choice that requires minimal upkeep between appointments.
4. Blonde Highlights on Dark Curly Hair
Blonde highlights scattered through dark curly hair create a sun-kissed, dimensional look that makes every curl pop. The contrast between the dark base and lighter pieces is most visible on curly hair because each highlighted strand wraps and coils independently, showing the color from every angle. Ask for chunky highlights for a bolder effect or fine highlights for something more subtle and natural.
5. Ombre Curly Hair from Brown to Caramel
We love a brown-to-caramel ombre on curly hair for its warmth and its incredibly smooth gradient. The darker roots fade seamlessly into warm caramel ends and on curly hair, the transition happens gradually through every coil so there’s never a harsh line. It’s a low-maintenance color choice that grows out beautifully and gets better with every wash.
6. Vibrant Red Curly Hair
Vibrant, true red on curly hair is the most head-turning color combination on this entire list and it earns every second of attention it gets. The bold, saturated red wraps around every ringlet and reflects light from every angle, creating a look that photographs strikingly and commands attention in every room. It’s a commitment but a worthwhile one.
7. Ash Blonde Curly Hair
Ash blonde on curly hair creates a cool, sophisticated look that feels modern and intentional. The muted, cool tones work beautifully with looser curl patterns and wavy hair, where the color shifts subtly from silver-blonde at the ends to a slightly deeper ash at the roots. A purple toning shampoo keeps the cool tones fresh and prevents any brassiness from developing.
8. Money Piece on Natural Curly Hair
A money piece on natural curly hair is the minimal color commitment with maximum visual impact. Two bright, face-framing pieces at the front draw immediate attention to the eyes and cheekbones while the rest of the curl pattern stays natural. It’s a great first color step for curly women who want to experiment without committing to an all-over application.
9. Soft Brunette Balayage on Curly Hair
Soft brunette balayage on curly hair adds dimension to dark hair without introducing any dramatic color shift. The slightly lighter brunette tones are painted through the mid-lengths and ends, creating a natural sun-kissed depth that makes dark curly hair look genuinely alive. It’s the most natural-looking color option on this list and it suits every curl pattern.
10. Strawberry Blonde Curly Hair
Strawberry blonde on curly hair is a warm, romantic color that sits right between golden blonde and light copper. The pink-gold tones catch warm light beautifully and add a softness and femininity to curly hair that cooler blonde shades can’t quite replicate. It’s particularly flattering on light to medium skin tones with warm undertones.
PRO TIP: Always hydrate curly hair for at least two weeks before a color appointment. Dry, fragile curls are more susceptible to damage from bleach and developer, and well-moisturized hair holds color more evenly and vibrantly. Deep condition twice a week in the lead-up to your appointment and tell your colorist about your current hair health before any bleach is applied.
11. Silver Gray Curly Hair
Embracing silver gray on curly hair creates a look that is genuinely powerful and completely intentional. The cool, metallic tones work beautifully with the natural movement of curls and the result is a sophisticated, editorial look that makes curly gray hair look like a conscious, confident style choice rather than simply aging. A glossing treatment adds shine and depth to the silver tones.
12. Chocolate Brown Curly Hair with Caramel Highlights
Chocolate brown with caramel highlights on curly hair creates a rich, multi-dimensional color that shows off every curl beautifully. The warm caramel pieces follow the natural path of the curl and catch light wherever the ringlets reflect it most, creating a depth and movement in the color that flat, single-tone brown simply can’t replicate.
13. Bold Burgundy Curly Hair
Burgundy on curly hair is a bold, deeply pigmented color that creates one of the most dramatic results on this list. The rich, wine-toned shade wraps around every coil and shows off the curl pattern in a way that lighter colors sometimes don’t, because the depth of the color makes every individual ringlet visible and defined. It’s our top recommendation for dark-haired curly women wanting a dramatic change.
14. Golden Brown Ombre Curly Hair
A golden brown ombre on curly hair transitions from a rich dark root to warm golden ends in a way that looks completely natural on the curl pattern. The gradient follows each individual coil from base to tip and the result is a warm, sun-kissed finish that looks like it grew that way. It’s a consistently flattering color approach for curly hair at every length.
15. Pastel Pink Curly Hair
Pastel pink on curly hair is a playful, creative color that works surprisingly well as a full application or as a tint over bleached blonde curls. The soft, rosy tones glow warmly and the curl pattern makes the color look dimensional and layered rather than flat. It’s one of the most popular creative color choices on curly hair right now and it photographs beautifully.
16. Jet Black Curly Hair with Blue Tones
Jet black with subtle blue tones on curly hair creates a deep, almost iridescent effect that is genuinely striking in natural light. The blue reflects off each coil in direct sunlight, creating flashes of color that appear and disappear as the hair moves. It’s a sophisticated, unexpected color choice that adds serious depth and visual interest to dark curly hair.
17. Warm Chestnut Curly Hair
Warm chestnut is one of the most universally flattering colors for curly hair across every skin tone and curl pattern. The reddish-brown tones add warmth and richness to the hair without the commitment of a full red or auburn application. It’s a color that looks naturally beautiful and grows out gracefully between salon visits.
18. Sun-Kissed Highlights on Curly Natural Hair
Sun-kissed highlights through natural curly hair celebrate the texture rather than trying to change it. Lighter pieces scattered throughout the curl pattern create the effect of natural sun exposure and add dimension to hair that might otherwise look one-dimensional in photographs. Ask your colorist for a foilayage technique to get the most natural placement on curly hair.
19. Rose Gold Curly Hair
Rose gold on curly hair is the warm, feminine color trend that continues to perform consistently on Pinterest and Instagram for very good reason. The pink-gold tones wrap around every ringlet and create a warm, glowing effect that reads as simultaneously modern and romantic. It fades gracefully from rose gold to a warm peachy blonde, so every stage of the color looks intentional.
20. Deep Plum Curly Hair
Deep plum on curly hair is a rich, moody color choice that adds serious drama to every curl pattern. The dark purple-red tones are most visible in direct light where each coil catches the color and reflects it beautifully, and in lower light the hair reads as a rich, dark brunette with a mysterious depth. It’s a color that consistently surprises and delights in every setting.
21. Toffee Blonde Curly Hair
Toffee blonde on curly hair creates a warm, honey-golden result that suits medium and dark brunette bases exceptionally well. The warm tones add brightness and dimension to the curl pattern and the color photographs beautifully in every light condition. It’s a great transitional color for curly women moving from dark brunette toward a lighter result without going full blonde.
22. Curly Hair with Chunky Face-Framing Highlights
Chunky face-framing highlights on curly hair are a bold, high-impact color choice that frames the face while celebrating the curl texture. The larger, more visible pieces wrap around the front ringlets and create strong contrast against the darker base, making both the color and the curl pattern the focal point of the look. It’s a great option for curly women who want drama at the front without a full color change.
23. Natural Black Curly Hair with Subtle Highlights
Subtle highlights through natural black curly hair add just enough dimension and warmth to make the color look intentional rather than flat. The lighter pieces are fine enough to blend naturally into the dark base but visible enough to create movement and depth when the curls catch light. It’s the most natural-looking color enhancement for naturally dark curly hair.
24. Bright Ginger Curly Hair
Bright ginger on curly hair is one of those combinations that looks like it was specifically designed for each other. The vivid orange-red tones wrap around every coil and create a fiery, energetic result that glows warmly in natural light. It’s a bold choice that suits warm and neutral skin tones and earns consistent compliments from everyone who sees it.
25. Dimensional Brunette Curly Hair
Dimensional brunette on curly hair uses multiple shades of brown, placed through the layers with a balayage or foilayage technique, to create depth and movement through the color rather than a flat, single-tone finish. Each curl catches a slightly different shade depending on where the color was placed, and the overall result is a rich, naturally beautiful brunette that looks genuinely alive.
26. Bright Blue or Teal Curly Hair
Bright blue or teal on curly hair is the most creative, most expressive color choice on this list and curly hair handles it more beautifully than almost any other texture. The vivid tones wrap around every ringlet and reflect light from every angle, creating a dynamic, almost electric effect that straight hair can’t replicate. It’s the color that celebrates curly texture most completely.
Curly hair and color are a genuinely powerful combination. The movement of your curls makes every shade look more dimensional, more alive, and more beautiful than it would on any other hair texture. That’s a real advantage and the right color choice makes the most of every bit of it.
Pick the combination that excited you most, save it, and share it with your curly-haired friends. Bring it to your colorist and let them show you what your curls can really do with the right color behind them.
